“Interesting enough that if word got out, the match would certainly draw quite a crowd.” Tetra smiled coyly. “Everyone knows that you are a skilled fighter. Now, while I have not gone against Cor, I know how frequently he practices so I strongly believe that he can hold his own.” she explained, still keeping her thoughts to herself.
Cleopatra narrowed her eyes slightly at the other woman’s coy smile. She knew what game Tetra was playing. “It would,” she remarked easily. “Too bad such a thing would never happen.” If she ever dueled Corym, Cleopatra wouldn’t hold back. Not unlike dancing…
Damn! She needed to focus. “The books, darling princess?” she prompted.
Tetra just blinked innocently at the look the thrice-crowned Queen was giving her. “Oh? Well, that is a shame.” she nodded, respecting Cleopatra’s decision. “I thought the challenge would have interested you.”
“Of course. They are just down this way.” she smiled, leading her through an aisle of bookshelves. “There’s a comfortable alcove nearby so we can look at the books there, if you'd like.”
"Don't get me wrong, princess," Cleopatra remarked. "The challenge of dueling your brother interests me very much. But I highly doubt he'll ever agree to such a thing."
The queen nodded and followed Tetra through the aisles. "I'd like that very much," she agreed. However, she still couldn't get out of her mind the way that Charmion had spoken to her. It bothered her. No one else talked to her that way. Rather, no one else talked to her that way, in front of witnesses, and lived.
"Oh. Is that the only reason?" Tetra raised a brow. "What if I could arrange a match between you? I know his daily schedule and could easily set things up if you truly wanted to test your skills against his." she suggested, well aware of what she was doing.
They continued their walk unbothered by anyone, perhaps because this section of books was so rarely visited except for cleaning and to keep the books in good condition. The alcove was near a large window that let plenty of light in for reading and even had a table in case someone decided to do research. "I believe what we are looking for is on these shelves here." the princess informed, gesturing to a simple but full case of very old, well-cared-for tomes.